As Washington and other Iowa counties are again seeing increased transmission of COVID-19, public health shares the different ways you can get tested.

Test Iowa, a partnership between the Iowa Department of Public Health and the State Hygienic Lab to provide free COVID-19 testing, is now offering at-home test kits as their testing sites ceased operation in July. Residents can go to the Test Iowa website to request a test kit be mailed to them or they can pick one up at locations including Washington County Public Health.

Interim Washington County Administrator and administrator for Jefferson County Chris Estle says the kit takes a saliva sample which you then return at your nearest UPS drop-off location with a prepaid postage label that is included with the kit. Estle says this is a great way for residents to get tested, “I think that we, especially in a rural county sometimes it’s difficult to get to a testing site and then you have to drive further, etc. And I think this is nice you can do it in the comfort of your own home so to speak, and then especially if you’re worried about confidentiality issues or whatever the case may be, nobody knows that you’re doing a test.”

Estle recommends not to drop off your sample on the weekend as that may cause shipping delays, and you can also drop it off at locations such as the State Hygienic Laboratory in Coralville. Estle adds you can also typically find COVID-19 tests at area pharmacies or get tested by your healthcare provider. To request or find more information on the Test Iowa kits visit here.